Why is my Vape Leaking? Common Causes & Fixes
Is a leaking vape getting you down? If you're someone who vapes often, your vape is more likely to degrade quicker than the average person's. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for a device that leaks.
A leaking vape causes more issues than one; it’s an inconvenience to carry around, and it’s unsafe to use. Luckily enough, there are a few easy ways you can fix a leaking vape quickly and some preventive tips to keep it from happening.
Today, Juicemate will go through the most common causes and easy ways to nip it in the bud before the issue worsens. Are you looking for long-lasting reusable vapes? We have a great collection for you to choose from.
Is it possible to prevent leaks?
While your vape is likely to run into a few issues, especially near the end of its life, it doesn’t have to be the worst-case scenario.
There are things you can do to prevent leaks from happening, which mostly come down to you caring properly for your vape and making sure you use compatible products.
- Check the condition of your vape regularly to make sure everything is in working order.
- Avoid complicated vapes that you don’t know how to use and adjust.
- Keep the device upright whenever possible and make sure it’s secured safely while travelling.
- Clean it regularly to avoid any buildup of grime or condensation.
- Replace parts regularly to prevent degradation.
- Check your gaskets often to spot any issues early.
- Add a silicone band to your tank to stop it from cracking.
6 Common causes and fixes
So, if you’re dealing with a leaking vape that’s affecting your experience, it’s best to get on top of the issue now before it worsens.
We’ve included a list of the most common causes of leaking vapes, so you can investigate the issue and fix it before it’s too late. This way, you’ll avoid sticky hands and pockets, wasted juice, and save yourself from having to buy a new one.
1. Wrong e-liquid for your coil/device
Most of the time, your leak will be caused by you using the wrong e-liquid for your device.
What we mean by this is buying the wrong VG/PG ratio for your vape, meaning it’s either too thin (high PG), which can whoosh through large sub-ohm wicking ports and flood the coil, or it’s too thick (high VG), which can make small tanks struggle to wick and flood the coil.
Solution
- For Sub-Ohm (DTL) Coils (typically below 0.7Ω): Stick to thicker, high-VG juices, such as 70VG/30PG or even 80VG/20PG. These liquids are thick enough to clog those larger wicking ports and stay put.
- For MTL Coils (typically 1.0Ω or higher): These have smaller ports and work perfectly with thin liquids like 50/50 or high-PG vape juices.
2. Loose, cross-threaded, or burnt coils
Sometimes, the leak isn’t about the liquid; it's about the coil itself.
If a coil isn’t seated straight or aligned properly, tiny gaps open up, and the e-liquid finds the path of least resistance, causing leaks to occur. This can happen when assembling your device or changing the coils in a rush (so take your time!)
Solution
- Remove the coil and inspect the threads and O-ring at its base. If the O-ring is flattened or torn, replace the coil (you should have received spares with your vape).
- Re-seat the coil so that it’s straight and seated properly, making sure it’s not loose.
- If it’s a new coil, add a few drops of liquid to the cotton, fill the tank, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
- If the vape juice tastes burnt or unappealing, replace the coil.
3. Damaged pod or tank
A hairline crack in the glass or a split in a pod wall will leak, regardless of what you do. The same story applies to a warped mouthpiece or a filler bung that’s seen better days.
You may notice cracks or dents in the device after dropping it a few too many times or over-tightening components (don’t worry, it happens). All of these can cause your pod or tank to become damaged and cause the e-liquid to start dripping out of the casing.
Solution
- Inspect the pod or tank in good lighting conditions for faint rainbow lines or foggy patches, which indicate a microcrack. Replace if necessary.
- Inspect the fill-port plug and mouthpiece for a loose, swollen, or misshapen rubber bung that won’t seal. Swap the pod and make sure the mouthpiece sits square on the vape with no wriggle room.
- If you’ve experienced repeated cracking with citrus/cinnamon flavours in older plastic pods, consider switching to a glass-tank setup.
- If a pod has leaked through a crack, clean and dry the device contacts before refitting a new pod.
4. Overfilling your tank
Overfilling your tank is an easy and common way to cause your vape to start leaking.
Filling to the brim kills the vacuum that helps keep liquid in place, meaning the moment you put the cap back on, pressure pushes liquid through the coil and out of the airflow, causing spitback and messy hands.
Solution
- Fill the vape to around 80–90% capacity, not to the brim, as the small air bubble at the top helps the tank maintain its pressure properly, keeping the liquid in place.
- Always aim the nozzle at the side fill port and avoid the centre chimney.
- If it’s a top-fill tank, tilt your vape slightly to the side (a 45-degree angle) and pour slowly when adding the e-liquid until it reaches the fill line.
- Close the airflow while you fill the tank, as it stops the vacuum from dumping juice straight through the coil as you replace the cap.
5. Overheated device
This one is common, especially during the summer. Leaving your vape in a hot car, near a radiator, or in direct sunlight is a recipe for disaster, as a device that it too hot will not function properly.
Heat makes the e-liquid thinner, increases the internal pressure of the tank or pod, and causes air to become trapped inside. Chain-puffing on max power can also make the juice runnier and more likely to seep through the airflow.
Solution
- Keep your device cool and out of direct sunlight.
- Store in a cool, dry place at a temperature of around 21°C.
- If the tank's outer metal is becoming hot, take breaks between using it to allow it to cool.
- Try lowering the wattage setting if it’s becoming too hot every time you use it for short periods.
6. Vaping at a high altitude
If you bring your vape with you when walking up a mountain or flying, chances are the drop in air pressure will cause your vape to leak.
Why? The air trapped inside your tank or pod expands, pushing the e-liquid through the coil and out of the airflow. On the way back down, the reverse can happen, and you’ll sometimes get gurgling as the tank tries to equalise again
Solution
- Don’t take your vape up mountains or high up if you can avoid it.
- Travel with your pod/tank half-full or empty to leave room for the air to expand.
- Store it upright to help the vacuum hold and keep it out of the heat to stop the e-liquid from thinning.
- After coming down from high altitude, crack the top cap briefly to let the tank ‘breathe’, then re-tighten and refill.
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